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The sex shows have moved to the New Twilight Bar just around the corner. Scantily clad boys perform every act imaginable. Everyone's raving about it.

From Channel News Asia VANCOUVER, Canada: Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s initial easing of COVID-19 restrictions was dramatically reversed following the arrival of Omicron in late November 2021. He most notably shut down the Japanese border – bucking the trend of reopening in East Asia and causing consternation abroad. Kishida has responded cautiously to domestic and foreign pressure to reopen Japan’s borders since April. Japan reopened its borders to holders of long-term visitor, business or student visas on Jun 1, as well as to tourists on authorised package tours. Independent tourists are not yet granted entry, although they can be expected to be allowed back by autumn. The Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism, Wada Kouichi, stated there had only been 1,300 entry visa requests for travel purposes in Japan as of Jun 15. This is despite Japan having its lowest exchange rate in 24 years (136 yen to US$1). Indeed, Japan’s current border rules for foreign tourists are the most restrictive in Asia with the exception of China. But Kishida’s COVID-19 policy response and his slow reopening have earned public support. This is no easy task in a country that has been sensitive to rising cases and experienced shortcomings like the government’s inability to provide enough hospital beds. The latest polls indicate broad support for Kishida’s approach – with COVID-19 becoming less of a salient issue for the now delayed Upper House elections in light of the Jul 8 shooting of former prime minister Shinzo Abe. Continues at https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/japan-travel-rules-tourist-group-covid-19-wave-vaccine-kishida-abe-2817761

From The Thaiger / Belfast Telegraph British hero hails US film director’s depiction of Thai cave rescue Cave hero Richard Stanton believes movie director Ron Howard was the perfect choice to capture the raw emotion of the dramatic rescue of 12 boys and their soccer coach from a flooded grotto in Thailand. The Oscar-winning filmmaker has retold the climactic tale from four years ago of the cave rescue in a new movie, “Thirteen Lives,” which premiered last night in the UK. Howard also directed the Oscar-winning Apollo 13 starring Tom Hanks. “As far as I was concerned, Apollo 13 was a fantastic film, very relevant, real-life dramatic rescue, just like Thailand, so it was the perfect choice of director from our point of view.” Ron Howard and Richard Stanton The 61 year old cave diver, who was awarded an MBE for his heroic act, recalled how he did not have time for emotion as he and his friend John Volanthen set about rescuing the boys, aged between 11 and 16, and their 25-year-old coach, from the Tham Luang cave in northern Thailand’s Chiang Rai in June 2018 after monsoon rains flooded the tunnels and trapped them underground. “When we arrived in Thailand, it was completely chaotic. It was clear that we had previous experience that could probably make a difference. “It was like something none of us had ever experienced before, we really did write the operational manuals as we went along. We didn’t have time to be thinking about anything but the nuts and bolts of the rescue, not necessarily emotions.” The film stars Viggo Mortensen and Colin Farrell as British divers Stanton and Volanthen, with Joel Edgerton taking on the role of Harry Harris. Thai actors and amateurs were cast in supporting roles while most of the young boys playing the members of the “Wild Boar” football team had no acting experience. Stanton admitted he is happy with how the movie portrayed the rescue. “I think it’s good for people to know what happened. It’s not a documentary, but it’s pretty much true to life.” The movie is to be released in the US and British cinemas on July 29 before it is launched globally on Amazon Prime Video on August 5.

Your observations about guys hanging out on Silom coincide with what I was seeing before I left. The new massage shop is a great find. Location is good because it's just around corner form massage alley (Soi 6).

Richard Barrow takes readers on a trip to the famous Railroad Market. Using photos and a video clip, he tells us how to make the trip and what to expect on arrival in a manner his fans have come to expect from the full-time teacher and part time Thailand promoter. https://www.richardbarrow.com/2022/06/day-trip-to-the-market-on-the-railway-tracks/

From Coconuts Bangkok A university in Bangkok’s western Nong Khaem district said Sunday that students who forced others to dance naked as part of an off-campus hazing ritual would be punished. Southeast Asia University said it would discipline seniors who forced three male freshmen to dance in the buff to music as other students watched and laughed. A row of female student spectators was visible in the clip, which was shot at an unspecified beach. “The university has a clear policy for organizing creative student activities,” the statement replied to the clip on Sunday. “Organizing activities outside the premises and activities that violate the rights of junior students are strictly prohibited. There will be punishment for senior students who commit both disciplinary offenses.” The university said it had already notified those responsible for the hazing ritual as well as their parents. The nude dancing clip was shared Saturday by Twitter user @Redskullxxx.

If I was a bar owner, I'd want to know why a prospective customers walked out without making a purchase. Maybe it's something I can't do anything about (i.e, too crowded). But it's more likely it's something I can. I've posted in the past about the idea of bars experimenting with promotions from mid-week beer specials, half-price off fees, 2-for-1 drink nights. The idea would be to get more people in the door than the other bars. In short, becoming competitive. But I don't think that's ever going to catch on in Bangkok. The attitude seems to be customers come or they don't. Mai pen rai.

From Bangkok Post The Public Health Ministry will on Monday tell Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt to limit public activities to minimise a possible coronavirus resurgence. Kiattiphum Wongrajit, permanent secretary for public health affairs, said on Sunday he will call for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to reduce the number of events drawing large crowds. Dr Kiattiphum said figures showed government hospitals in the capital should brace for a swell of new Covid-19 patients. About 2,000 people a day are now being treated in hospitals, more than half of them in Bangkok, he said. Worse, 42% of coronavirus inpatients in the capital are seriously ill or showing life-threatening symptoms, he continued. Dr Kiattiphum said Governor Chadchart chairs the communicable disease committee in Bangkok, and thus has the authority to issue any health measures needed. The public health secretary did not specify the events he considered highly likely to spread Covid-19. The latest government manoeuvre is likely to be viewed as politicking, given its waning popularity, its perceived inability to address the Covid-19 pandemic and the landslide election of the former Pheu Thai heavyweight to lead the nation's capital. Mr Chadchart has initiated several programmes to restore life to Bangkok, including open-air movies and concerts in public parks. Dr Kiattiphum's position reflects growing worries about a possible spike as doctors and health personnel have warned of the danger of two new subvariants, BA.4 and BA.5, due to their high transmission.

From Channel News Asia SEOUL: Thousands of South Koreans took part in an LGBT festival in downtown Seoul on Saturday (Jul 16), as Christian and conservative groups held a rally in protest across the road. Dubbed Seoul Queer Culture Festival, about 13,000 people were estimated to have participated as of about 3pm local time, Yonhap reported. Participants, some wearing rainbow masks and toting rainbow flags, looked around some 72 booths opened by human rights groups, university LGBT clubs, embassies, religious and progressive organisations, taking part in face painting or social media events. "I'm glad we can have an offline festival after a long time. LGBT people are not hateful people who appear one day out of the year but people who live their daily lives just the same," said Hurricane Kimchi, a drag queen who attended the festival. "The Queer Festival has gotten bigger, and many LGBT people show up without hiding, because the perception in our society is getting better." The US ambassador to South Korea, Philip Goldberg, attended the festival to show his support. "To express the strong commitment of the United States to ending discrimination wherever it occurs and ensuring that everyone is treated with respect and humanity, we simply cannot leave any of you behind," Goldberg told the crowd. "We're going to fight with you for equality and human rights." Across the road from the festival, taking place in Seoul Plaza in front of City Hall, the protest rally had at least 15,000 participants, according to the Yonhap news agency. "We are protesting and holding a national convention for the healthy sexual ethics of our children, and we are rallying together to call for the proper operation of Seoul Plaza, which is run with citizens' taxes," said Lee Yong-hee, a university professor and participant in the protest rally. Police were at the site to guard against possible clashes.

Heartened to hear that you're enjoying yourself.

I just returned from two months in BKK and walked Silom, Surawong and Patpong nightly. The scenes presented above represent a moment in time and do not reflect my recollection of what it actually looked liked as a whole during that period. Below are some clarifications to put this discussion in context. MASSAGE SHOPS -- There were at least six massage shops on Surawong when I left July 12. And for the record, Urban Thai does have some male masseurs on staff. Long-running Adam Massage on Soi 4 is open as are at least five on Soi 6, including Prime. And soon Senso (on Soi Saladaeng) will be reopening. CURRENCY EXCHANGE -- As Min pointed out, Superrich is open weekdays. I went in there July 8 and it was so crowded I walked out and ended up at the jewelry shop on Surawong (right beside what was once the Family Mart at the corner of Soi Twlight. For rate comparisons, they were offering $35.65, K-Bank $34.89 and Superrich $35.90 for the USD. Superrich has other locations open weekends, including Central World that I used a few times. But for convenience purposes, I'd recommend the jewelry store because there was no waiting and the transaction was completed rapidly. Kudos to Vinapu for making me aware of this place. (Btw, the airport exchange rates are no longer competitive with what you can get in the city). OVERALL -- I'd echo what z909 says above, "Everything I need in Bangkok is open." Boy69, have you actually walked these streets lately? Many members, myself included, have and you're saying that we've created a false impression. Our impressions are of those actually on the ground. I was a 5-walk away from Surawong for eight weeks. I can tell you that Patpong 1 had only three bars open when I arrived and five when I left, not counting one on an alley that connects it with Patpong 2. There are another six lady bars open on Patpong 2 along with three boy bars: Hot Male, Freshboys and Dreamboys. Life may not be back to normal as our pre-covid memories but it improves by the week. It's low season right now. There's no magic switch that going to be turned on and suddenly places like Lucky Boys and Screwboys are going to spring to life. That's going to be determined by how many punters actually decide to return to Bangkok and start spending again. But ask any member who has returned whether or not they had a good time and I'd be amazed if even one responds in the negative. Or just read Dankfq's recent post in this forum.

https://sensospacom.wordpress.com/

If you're a US citizen arriving at JFK's Terminal 4 (the large international terminal), be advised that the passport scanning kiosks have been removed. Installed in 2013, the machines allowed you to scan your passport, answer some questions, and then hand a receipt printed by the machine to a CBP officer before proceeding on to baggage claim. When I asked a CPB guard what had happened to the kiosks, he said the agency is in the process of acquiring new technology. In the meantime, be papered to queue up for an individual check by a CPB officer at one of the old booths. Global Entry holders will be glad to know that a dozen or so machines remain for their use. I don't know if this affects other JFK terminals or other US international airports.

Today's Bangkok Post has a follow-up piece on the young man arrested in this case. It provides some personal details that help explain why many view him as a hero of sorts. Jeh Issamaeh Hama (right) and some of the goods he stole from the Banana IT store in Muang district of Nakhon Nayok. He was arrested by a team led by Pol Maj Gen Theeradet Thamsuthee (centre) on July 6, 2022. (Royal Thai Police photo) Police recently arrested a serial phone thief who targeted branches of the Banana IT store chain in many provinces. CCTV footage caused interest in the felon to surge as in each case it showed a man wearing nothing but underpants committing the crime. He was soon dubbed "Robin Hood in underpants" after it was revealed that he had given many of the phones to homeless people. It was one of the strangest cases that his team has ever experienced, according to Pol Maj Gen Theeradet Thamsuthee, investigation chief for Provincial Police Region 2, who led the unit tasked with tracking down the underdressed thief. The pant-clad anti-hero was identified as Jeh Issamaeh Hama, 23, also known as Khamas. He was arrested on July 4. It all began after the cyber police were alerted to an incident at a Banana IT shop in Muang district of Nakhon Nayok on July 3. At around 3am, Khamas allegedly broke into the shop and made off with 128 items -- mostly mobile phones -- worth 1.91 million baht. The thief also disconnected CCTV cameras and escaped by a prearranged route in an effort to make police think he was a local, said Pol Maj Gen Theeradet. But when they reviewed CCTV footage, they found that the man had scouted the area before committing the crime. Crime records for the area showed there had been a number of similar thefts during the past 8-9 years. After combining their own work with analysis from the Police Cyber Taskforce, the investigation team were able to learn that the thief was a native of Narathiwat province who had first been arrested for stealing when he was just 14. Subsequently, police learned the man was wanted on three warrants issued last year by Yala Provincial Court on Feb 4, Songkhla Juvenile and Family Court on May 27 and Phatthalung Provincial Court on April 23. An additional one was issued by the Min Buri Criminal Court on Jan 20 this year. He had committed several crimes including stealing, damage to property and trespassing. The suspect was accused of stealing from a Banana IT shop in the southern border province of Yala on Jan 27, 2021, and from another of the chain's outlets in Sai Mai district in Bangkok on Jan 9 this year. He allegedly told police he stole only from Banana IT shops because he liked bananas and the colour yellow. He said he wore only underpants because dressing that way made him feel like "himself". The suspect was also quoted as telling police that he disconnected and stole CCTV cameras along with the phones because media outlets used to call him "a pervert thief in underpants" which he did not like so he had wanted to remove any record of him just wearing underpants. The man also told police that he stole mobile phones because he did not have one during his childhood, unlike his friends. During questioning, Khamas said he had given phones and money to homeless people at Hua Lamphong railway station and Sanam Luang in Bangkok, and also to people in his home province of Narathiwat, as he too had been homeless once. The suspect also allegedly stole from Banana IT outlets in Songkhla, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phatthalung and Nakhon Si Thammarat provinces in the South, and in Nong Bua Lam Phu and Ubon Ratchathani provinces in the Northeast. It all began after the cyber police were alerted to an incident at a Banana IT shop in Muang district of Nakhon Nayok on July 3. At around 3am, Khamas allegedly broke into the shop and made off with 128 items -- mostly mobile phones -- worth 1.91 million baht.

From Bangkok Post A New York City neighbourhood long known informally as “Little Thailand” may soon get official name recognition under a bill passed by the city council. The official designation for a stretch of Woodside Avenue, between 76th and 79th streets in the Elmhurst neighbourhood in the borough of Queens, was one of a number of renaming proposals adopted by the council this week. The area is well known throughout the city for a large number of Thai restaurants and other businesses. Other proposals approved by the council included the renaming of Macdonald and Church in Brooklyn as Little Bangladesh, and Brighton Beach Avenue and Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn as Ukrainian Way, the local news site Pix11 reported. In all, the bill covered 78 thoroughfares and public places throughout the city. It will be sent to Mayor Eric Adams for final approval. Shekar Krishnan, a council member who sponsored the bill, represents the part of Queens that would be renamed Little Thailand. “The small businesses that are there and the events that are held there, really reflect the beauty and the energy of our Thai community not just of Jackson Heights and Elmhurst, but across Queens and throughout our city,” he said. “Little Thailand Way is a very fitting name for this street.”

When Moonlight first opened, it was the talk of the town (well, our little town, anyway). It was new, bold and had quickly became a must stop for all. But for me it lust a bit of the luster over the years. Nevertheless, I certainly would prefer that it survives in the same way I hope newcomer New Twilight manages to sustain itself because the Bangkok scene very much needs variety. The problem Twilight has at the moment appears to be indecision: does it want to be another Jupiter or Moonlight or does it wish its own, unique identity which so far doesn't seem to be catching on all that well. Personally, I'd hope it adopts the Lucky Boys approach. It has the stage and lighting to put on the same type of floor show entertainment along with the ever-popular rotation of 30-40 guys representing a cross section of ASEAN. I really miss that place.

The "Brink of War" thread seemed to dominate the site for quite a few months but has gradually faded along with some of the contributors. The board's content previously contained much news and views of Pattaya and somewhat less of Bangkok.

The two structures in upper left of photo appear to be situated where "Balls Sports Bar" (i think it had a few different names over tome) was located. If I recall, the Swiss (Lucas) who managed Tanrtawan Hotel and also ran Dick's Cafe and Balls.

I recall that the Next2 Cafe at Shangri-La Hotel as having one of the finest Sunday brunches in the city with ample seafood offerings. Beautiful setting on the river. Even the weekday breakfast buffet is a stand out. When I waked by the hotel three weeks ago on my way to Jack's bar on waterfront, I noticed that many rooms had lights on. Business seemed brisk with a steady flow of taxis coming n and out of driveway.

The escalators were working on the day I visited last week. However, the rubber hand rails of one had been badly damaged by fire but the stairs moved along ok. Hero had moved into all new--and quite lux--quarters about 3-4 years ago. Have no idea what became of it, but the one message I had there was terrific on all counts.

From The Thaiger Thailand’s Chamber of Commerce yesterday insisted it is addressing the shortage of migrant workers needed to help boost the nation’s economy. The department accepts more than 500,000 additional foreign workers are needed in its manufacturing and services sectors to support economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic but says it is doing all it can to support the kingdom’s businesses. Thailand’s Chamber of Commerce yesterday insisted it is addressing the shortage of migrant workers needed to help boost the nation’s economy. The department accepts more than 500,000 additional foreign workers are needed in its manufacturing and services sectors to support economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic but says it is doing all it can to support the kingdom’s businesses. The Department of Employment director-general, Pairoj Chotikasathien, backed his colleague, saying more foreign workers from Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and Myanmar are returning to work in Thailand now Covid restrictions have been lifted. Continuing civil strife in Myanmar, as well as virus outbreaks, have not helped the labour shortage situation in Thailand but Pairoj expects about 100,000 to come from Myanmar by the end of this year. Chamber of Commerce vice chairman, Poj Aramwattananont, made known the demand for workers is surging now almost all coronavirus-related travel and business restrictions to accelerate economic recovery have been lifted by the government. “Labour is considered a key machine in propelling Thailand’s entire economy from the export-orientated industries, manufacturing, processing and construction to tourism and service-related sectors. “This is regarded as a serious problem as Thailand desperately needs foreign workers to help rehabilitate the economy battered by the Covid-19 outbreaks. We now have a lot of key infrastructure projects in the construction pipeline and we also have many tourism and service-related jobs that need to be filled after the government announced it would fully reopen the country to international tourists.”

From The Nation The town of Luang Prabang, which is renowned for Unesco’s listing of its old quarter as a world heritage site, has seen 90 per cent of room reservations made by Thai visitors since Laos lifted all entry restrictions in May. resident of the Luang Prabang Hotel and Guesthouse Association,Toun Sisouphanthavong, said hotels and guesthouses have been almost fully booked due to the large number of Thai visitors coming to Luang Prabang since the government lifted travel restrictions after the Covid-19 outbreak subsided. However, fewer people are arriving from Europe, the Republic of Korea, China and other countries because travel is still difficult and people are dealing with an economic downturn. This week, the city is hosting a boat festival to celebrate the start of Buddhist Lent, in a bid to attract both Lao and foreign visitors. Since the Laos-China Railway became operational, more people from Thailand and other countries have come to Laos to experience a new mode of travel through the country. There are also more flights coming into Laos, easing air travel and bringing in more tourists. However, Toun urged Laos-China Railway authorities to set up an online booking system, as this would make it much easier for people to plan their travels in Laos. Continues at https://www.nationthailand.com/international/40017721

Yes, Arena was open. Other than the two massage shops I mentioned, that mall seems pretty much deserted.

I'm back home now went to the Happy Beer Garden five times (with three different guys) during my stay. Really like the place and the staff remembers what I ordered on previous visits, and that I like small noodles and not big. 🙂 I prefer to sit facing inward so I'm not constantly reminded of the demise of Twilight across the road. On one visit. I guy seated with a farang at nearby table waved at me but I couldn't place him. On the way out, he stopped by my table and (up close) recalled that he had worked at massage shop that I had used numerous times 4-5 years ago. Time has been very good to him. I'm always impressed how these young men never seem to forget a face, and I was kind of touched that he went out of his way to talk with me even though it was brief. Many thanks for your very entertaining reports. Just like the old days!